Electra has secured a $1.9-million contract from the US Army to advance hybrid-electric powertrain and propulsion technology.
The 18-month project will focus on system development and testing using Electra’s EL9, a nine-passenger ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) aircraft.
It also includes operational analysis, modeling, simulation, and flight testing.
The effort will also generate data to help the US Army assess performance, trade-offs, and operational impact for current and future aircraft platforms.
“Electra’s hybrid-electric Ultra-STOL aircraft redefines what’s possible for army aviation with its ability to operate from small, rugged sites, reduce fuel demand, and increase flexibility for the commander,” said Donn Yates, VP of Government Programs at Electra.
EL9 Ultra-STOL Features
The EL9 Ultra-STOL is designed for operations in confined and rugged environments, allowing takeoff and landing on unprepared surfaces such as grass fields, parking lots, and heliports.
It has a payload capacity of up to 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms) and a range of up to 1,100 nautical miles (1,265 miles/2,037 kilometers).
It features in-flight battery recharging, removing the need for ground charging infrastructure.
Testing Campaigns
The Virginia-based aerospace company’s latest announcement follows a series of key developments.
In December last year, the EL2 Ultra-STOL prototype aircraft was demonstrated at a Pentagon event focused on expeditionary operations.
In September 2024, Electra participated in a US Air Force event to evaluate the EL2 for logistics missions in remote areas without ground support.
Furthermore, the US Air Force selected Electra in January 2023 to develop a pre-production version of its STOL aircraft for military use, building on the existing prototype.
